2012 MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class parking brake

beforehand. You could otherwise damage
the drive train or the brake system.
Information about driving off-road
(Y page 134). Ultrasonic backing-up aid
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The ultrasonic backing up aid is only designed
to assist
you and may not detect all obstacles.
It is not a substitute for paying attention.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. Otherwise, you could endanger
yourself and others. G
WARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
The ultrasonic

backing up aid is an electronic
parking aid. It indicates visually and audibly
the distance between the rear area of your
vehicle and an object.
The ultrasonic backing up aid is activated
automatically when you switch on the ignition
and engage reverse gear.
The ultrasonic backing up aid monitors the
rear area of your vehicle using four sensors in
the rear bumper. :
Sensors in the rear bumper Range of the sensors The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush; otherwise they may not function
correctly.
Clean

the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y page 220). Side view
Top view
Sensors
Center Approx. 59 in (approx.
150 cm)
Corners Approximately 40 in
(approximately 100 cm)
!
When parking,

pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer towbars. The
ultrasonic backing up aid does not detect
such objects when they are in the
immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You could
damage the vehicle or the objects.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed air-brakes on a 142
Driving systems
Driving and parking

R
the automatic transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving no faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
X Push the transfer case switch to LOW.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
L transfer case position appears in the
multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position D.
From LOW to HIGH
! Only carry out the gear selection if:
R the engine is running.
R the vehicle is rolling.
R the automatic

transmission is in selector
lever position N.
R you are driving no faster than 43 mph
(70 km/h).
You could otherwise damage the transfer
case.
X Push the transfer case switch to HIGH.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
H transfer case position appears in the
multifunction display.
If the gear change is not completed, the
following messages could appear in the
display:
R TC shift conditions not fulfilled
You have not met one or more shift
conditions.
R TC in neutral
The transfer case has canceled the gear
change process and is in N. The N transfer
case position appears in the multifunction
display. G
WARNING
If the transfer case is in Neutral, the park
position P of the automatic transmission will not hold the vehicle. The parking brake must
be engaged to hold the vehicle in place.
R TC shift procedure canceled
The transfer case has not performed the
gear change process.
X Carry out the gear change process again.
Make sure to meet all conditions for
changing gears.
R Transfer case Consult workshop
There is

a malfunction in the transfer case.
X Do not shift the transfer case.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible at

a qualified specialist workshop.
Shifting to neutral G
WARNING
If the transfer case is in Neutral, the park
position P of the automatic transmission will
not hold the vehicle. The parking brake must
be engaged to hold the vehicle in place.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Move the selector lever to
position N (Y page 120).
X Push the transfer case switch to LOW for
about 30 seconds.
When the shift procedure is complete, the
N transfer case position appears in the
multifunction display.
i If the transfer case is in N, the SmartKey
is in the ignition lock and you open the
driver's door,

the TC in neutral message
appears in the multifunction display. If you
then release the parking brake, a warning
tone will sound. Off-road driving systems
147
Driving and parking Z

Safety systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
ESP
Inoperative See
Operator's Manual
G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program) is not available due to a
malfunction.
ABS (Anti-lock

Brake System), BAS (Brake Assist), EBD (electronic
brake force distribution), 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) and
the tire pressure monitor have also been deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ABS
ABS not available
Differential
Locked You have engaged the differential locks.
X
Disengage the differential locks.
Subsequently ABS is reactivated. ABS
Inoperative See
Oper. Manual
G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are not available due to a malfunction.
BAS, EBD and 4ETS have also been deactivated.
The brake

system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. $
(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release Parking
Brake You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake. $ (USA only)
J(Canada only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
X Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction.166
Display messages
On-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsh
Tire
Pres.
Caution
Tire Defect G
Risk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay

attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X If necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 226).h
Tire Pres. Check
Tires G
Risk of accident
The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay

attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X If necessary, change a wheel ( Y page 226).
X Check the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
(Y page 248). Vehicle
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions: The rear door is open.
X
Close the rear door. M G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with anti-theft alarm system:
The hood is open. A warning tone also sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Close the hood. ¡ At least one door is open.
X
Close all the doors. ~
Bluetooth Ready The Bluetooth
®
connection between your mobile phone and
COMAND is not activated.
X If desired, activate the Bluetooth ®
connection between your
mobile phone and COMAND (see the separate Operator's
Manual). ¥
Top
Up

Washer Fluid The washer fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir has dropped
below the minimum.
X
Add washer fluid ( Y page 214). Display messages
177
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions©
TC
Shift
Procedure
Canceled The gear change process was not carried out.
X
Repeat the gearshift process. ©
TC Shift
Conditions Not
Fulfilled One or more conditions to shift the transfer case have not been
fulfilled.
X
Repeat the gearshift process. ©
TC In Neutral The transfer case is in the neutral position.
X
Shifting the transfer case into HIGH or LOW.©
Transfer Case
Service Required There is a malfunction in the transfer case.
X
Do not shift the transfer case.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified
specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If the transfer case is in Neutral,
the
park position P of the automatic transmission will not hold
the vehicle. The parking brake must be engaged to hold the vehicle in place. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Seat belts
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt
warning

lamp lights
up for six seconds. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X
Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 41).7
After starting the
engine, the red seat
belt
warning

lamp lights
up. In addition, a
warning tone sounds
for up to six seconds. G
Risk of injury
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X Fasten your seat belt ( Y page 41).
The warning tone ceases. 178
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp

comes on
while the vehicle is
moving. A warning tone
also sounds. You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp

comes on
while the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
X Pull
over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to

road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
Do not add brake fluid. This will not rectify the malfunction. G
WARNING
Driving
with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately

if the brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add brake fluid before checking
the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You can be seriously burned. 180
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
On-board computer and displays

Ashtray
Ashtray in the cockpit X
To open: press cover ? and then release
it.
Ashtray : folds out.
X To remove insert: make sure that the
vehicle is secured against rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
X Move the selector lever to N.
X Move slide knob = to the right, so that
insert ; is released.
X Pull insert ; upwards and remove it.
X To re-install the insert: press insert ;
into the holder until it engages.
X To close: press cover ? until it engages.
Ashtray in the rear compartment An ashtray is located in each of the rear
doors. X
To open: fold cover ;
out in the direction
of the arrow.
X To remove the insert: press retaining
lug : and

pull insert = upwards and out.
X To re-install the insert: replace insert =
from above.
X To close: close cover ; fully. Cigarette lighter
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised
access to

a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. The children
could:
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned on these
parts. G
WARNING
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only. Features
195
Stowing and features
Z

i
When refitting
cover panel ?, make sure
that retainer B engages in recess A.
Removing the spare wheel G
WARNING
Make sure no one is injured when removing
the spare wheel.
Grip wheel from the sides.
Keep hands from beneath the wheel. X
Remove wheel nuts :.
X Remove the spare wheel.
Mounting the wheel After changing a wheel:
X
Repair or replace the damaged wheel as
soon as possible and secure the spare
wheel in place again.
X Secure the damaged wheel on the spare
wheel bracket with wheel nuts :. When
doing so,

make sure that the wheel cannot
come loose. X
When refitting cover panel ?, make sure
that retainer B engages in recess
A(Y page 225).
X Make sure that tab ; is below when
refitting cover ring : (Y page 225).
X For safety reasons, regularly check to
ensure that

the wheel is securely fastened. Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
X Stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from traffic

on solid, non-slippery and level
ground.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure

that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door. Changing a wheel and mounting the
spare wheel
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the spare tire is more than 6 years old or is
not the

same model as the regular tires, have226
Flat tire
Breakdown assistance